Royal Moroccan Navy's newest patrol vessel hits the water

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia launched a new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) at its San Fernando facilities on Tuesday, May 27.

The 87- by 13-metre OPV, which is yet to be named, will be one of two such ships to be built for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Both vessels will utilise the same design as that of the Avante-class ships that Navantia has built for the navies of Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.

The OPV will boast stealth features and will be powered by four diesel engines driving two controllable-pitch propellers to deliver a top speed of just under 26 knots and a range of over 4,000 nautical miles.

The ship will be crewed by 60 people and will be armed with a 76mm naval gun, two autocannons, a point defence system, and surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles. There will also be space for two rigid inflatable boats and a flight deck for use by a 10-tonne helicopter.

Navantia will also provide logistical support and crew training under the OPV contract.